A Celebration of Juneteenth with Leaders of Color in Academia, Medicine, Engineering and Athletics. Here is the complete list: Chancellor Gary May ( Chancellor of UC Davis), Dean Raheem Beyah (Dean, College of Engineering, Georgia Tech), Dr. Emery Brown, MD, PhD ( Anesthesiologist-Statistician, Harvard/ MIT/ Mass. General Hospital), Chase Griffin ( Toigo Fellow, Investment Fellow, Athlete Creator and Quarterback, UCLA), Nagela Nukuna (Product Lead, The White House), Leselle Vincent ( Senior Associate, Center for Public Impact), Sonola Onasanya ( ESG Equity Analyst, Net Purpose), Gabriel Galaraza (Professional Services Manager, Amplitude), Kyle Woumn (Engineering Manager, Nerd Wallet and Forbes 30 Under 30, 2022), Ms. Pinder (Vice Principal, Bishop Michael Eldon School, The Bahamas), Mr. Bourne ( Chemistry Teacher, B.M.E.S.) ,Mr. R. Deveaux (Deputy Permanent Secretary, The Ministry of Education, The Bahamas), Former Ambassador S. Collie ( Former Bahamian Ambassador to Washington, DC), Mr. Isaiah Swann ( MD-PhD Student at The University of Virginia), Dr. Jenaye Burrows, MBBS (Medical Doctor), Chadwin Hanna ( MD-PhD Student, The University of Florida), Dr. Kuna Fortingo, MD ( Medical Resident), Dr. Sheena Collie (Chief Medical Officer, Doctors Hospital, The Bahamas), Aaron Levarity (Professional Basketball Player in France & from The Bahamas).

This episode discusses findings from a recent systematic review preprint, examining how the embryonic germ layer origin of various cancers may relate to differences in therapy response. Drawing on evidence from clinical trials and mechanistic studies, we explore patterns observed among mesoderm-, endoderm-, and ectoderm-derived tumors.

The conversation highlights how integrating developmental biology concepts into oncology may help inform treatment decisions and research design. This episode is intended for students, researchers, and clinicians interested in cancer biology, translational research, and personalized medicine.

Please note: The views of this podcast represent those of my guest and I, and do not constitute medical advice, recommendations or consultations. Please see a state certified and board certified professional for medical, advice and recommendations. We disclaim any loss in any way.

Link to Preprint: Embryonic Germ Layer Origin as a Potential Determinant of Cancer Therapy Response: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Contemporary Evidence | medRxiv

Note: Some of this episode's production involved the use of AI.

This curated compilation with leaders such as Dr. Etienne, and Dr. Langer, as well as early career professionals and students such as MD-PhD Student Chadwin Hanna, Dr. Ugo, Dr. Maada, and PharmD Student David Ferguson, stitches together the most resonant moments from four interviews recorded in 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025 with Institute Professor Robert Langer, Sc.D. Across a half-decade marked by pandemic breakthroughs, startup surges, and classroom innovation, Dr. Langer reveals how impact-driven work fuels transformative work at the intersection of bioengineering, academia, and industry.